Developer to discuss his vision for Germantown’s future

Local businessman Ken Weinstein will kick off a series of public forums Thursday night aimed at keeping residents informed about what private developers and community development corporations are working on in the neighborhood.

“People in Germantown have been saying, ‘We don’t know what developers are doing’,” explained Betty Turner, president of the Germantown Community Connection, which is hosting the series.

Turner said GCC’s goal is to educate neighbors on what she refers to as a “common ground” issue. The forums are not intended to provide the community an opportunity to needle a particular developer.

“It’s not a negative, gotcha kind of thing,” said Turner.

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Thursday’s installment will be held at The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, 35 W. Chelten Ave. The event starts at 7 p.m.

A discussion, not a lecture

Weinstein, who has owned real estate in Germantown for 20 years, said he will share his vision for the neighborhood, but also ask residents to share theirs.

“I want the evening to be a two-way street,” said Weinstein.

In the past year, Weinstein has purchased three commercial properties in Germantown, including the former site of a historic school, a former state Department of Public Welfare property and land that contains a building that houses a small women’s penal facility.

Future forum dates haven’t been scheduled yet.

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